The Monterey County Board of Supervisors approved a combined development permit Oct. 28 (PLN230350) allowing construction of a 622‑square‑foot accessory dwelling unit (ADU) and a 210‑square‑foot trellis on property located at 30860 Aurora Del Mar within the Big Sur Coast Land Use Plan area. The proposal required an amendment to an existing conservation and scenic easement so a small portion of that easement could be reconfigured to allow the ADU while keeping the overall easement footprint unchanged.

Planning staff (Jose Alameda) told the board that the portion of easement proposed for modification does not contain biological or archeological resources and is not visible from Highway 1. The Big Sur Land Use Advisory Committee had previously voted 5–0 in support; the Planning Commission recommended approval.

The applicant, Joel Panzer, confirmed the Coastal Commission reviewed the ADU and requested that the total easement area remain constant (a small area removed to allow the ADU is replaced elsewhere on the property). Panzer said materials and colors were selected to match the existing dwelling and that staff findings supported the categorical CEQA exemptions cited.

Supervisor Daniels moved approval; Supervisor Maskew seconded. The board voted unanimously to adopt the staff recommendation, authorized the chair to execute the amended deed, and directed the Clerk to record the amended conservation and scenic easement.

Why it matters: The decision allows a modest ADU in a coastal Big Sur property only after a technical easement reconfiguration and agency findings that the change would not harm visual or coastal resources.

Provenance: Planning item PLN230350 Oct. 28, 2025 (presentation by Jose Alameda; applicant Joel Panzer; motion by Supervisor Daniels; second by Supervisor Maskew) (topicintro: 16748.27–16768.61; topfinish: 17105.55–17117.99).